Leisure Travel Vans, need second opinion before purchase.

[lloyd528]

My wife and I are near retirement and intend to travel in a class B. I've scoured all the class B motorhome websites and Leisure Travel has the most thorough site, with many informative videos, photos, etc. After looking at the Free Spirit SS and Unity models, with slide outs, I found my local dealer and took a tour of the Unity. I was blown away by the craftsmanship and interior and exterior design of this vehicle. I got in and out of the best Roadtreks they had and no comparison. I checked out Winnebago's best motorhome of similar size as well as the Airstream's best, but not impressed compared to the LTV offerings. Unfortunately there are no RV shows around at this time of year to get in and out of other brands such as Pleasure Way, CoachHouse, etc. Am I on to something here, that Leisure Travel Vans are a cut above the rest or am I missing something? Who has cabinetry like them? I just didn't see it in the other motorhomes, in the 22-24 size, on a Mercedes chassis.

Any suggestions, or things I should consider before buying a Free Spirit SS or the Unity, both with slide outs. Have I overlooked a coach that is top of the line?

[wincrasher65]

rvit wrote:
And as for "B envy", it sounds much more like you want us off this this forum so you won't be reminded of the features and space you could have had.

No he doesn't, and neither do I.

The reason the forum is segregated is so that members can get the answers they need from those that are familiar with their rig type. B+ and C's have their own issues, but due to their construction are mostly similar. They are quite different than B camper-vans. That is why it get's pointed out when someone posts about a B+ that they need to post it in the C & B+ forum area, as they will get better answers.

B vans are completely different, and their pattern of usage is largely different too. So issues coming out of their practical uses are also best answered in a segregated forum.

So if you want relevant answers to a query, then post in the correct forum. If you just want to continue to argue, then keep doing what you are doing. Futile, but entertaining I guess.

[rvit]

And as for "B envy", it sounds much more like you want us off this this forum so you won't be reminded of the features and space you could have had.

[rvit]

Arizona Kid, You don't get it. Regardless of what they call the forum, people are going to go where their answers are. IMO it shouldn't be a "B" forum, it should just be a "Small MH" forum. People who are considering a B should also consider the tiny C and those who are looking at small Cs should look at Bs also. Bs have their advantages (mpg, drivability, versatility) and the tiny Cs have theirs ( more space, better livability, larger capacities). IMO one is a passenger vehicle trying to be an RV and the other is an RV trying to be a passenger vehicle. But people buy both with the same goals in mind. A 22' tiny C can be more versatile than a 24' B. Each buyer has to decide what's important to THEM. I doubt that the chassis is the most important consideration to very many first time buyers. I would guess that things like floorplan, bed size, and price come first. This is the forum where these comparisons can be made, not the C forum.

[Arizona_Kid]

The thing is, he quoted me, and I didn't even mention anything about a Sprinter. Seems he uses any chance he gets to knock the Sprinters.

[bobojay5]

Fastpaddler, the Sprinter you own and the company that made our 2 must be different manufacturers. Both of ours, '08 & '13, have been all over the road in winds and when a semi passes. Now the winds I'm talking about are 20-30+mph gusts however.
Both had front end & alignment issues when brand new requiring multiple 40+ mile drive service visits. The '13's sheet metal fits were so bad that you could see light at the top of the rear doors when closed, had to SLAM the slider to get it to latch, and the passenger door stuck out so far at the top that the wind noise was intolerable.
It's a well known fact that when you buy a Ford 350/450 RV chassis, that after 3 to 5k miles a good front end alignment takes care of 95% of the handling issues. All the RV makers that use the Ford chassis, as well as the Sprinter, recommend an alignment after 5k or so miles

[Fastpaddler]

I owned two Class C rvs both with Ford E350s one a V8 and the other a V10. The V10 went into limp mode one week after I bought it(throttle control valve); both Cs required sawing the steering wheel in any kind of winds and on irregular roads. The MB chassis with ESP and all that stuff drives like a car and is pinned to the road, virtually never wavering even in winds. And I also have a MB Sprinter. SO, it is a matter of PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Rvs are like any vehicle--they can break. ANd, doesnt matter if you are next to a dealer or out in the boon docks, a Ford, CHev or MB is going to be a pain you know where if something essential fails. Last time I checked Ford hadnt rectified the front end geometry deficiency somewhat corrected with anti roll bars, wheel spacers and heavier shocks. Chevs have been good however and have good front ends. But, I suppose a lot of owners of all makes will have his/her own preferences.
Rving, like life itself, is an experience, sometimes good and occasionally bad.
IMHO
PS Kendall69 has evidently had muchos problemas with his Sprinter. Others dont. My 07 PW Plateau TS--just one resonator went South but nothing else wrong in 60K miles!!30MPG on average.

[kendall69]

Arizona Kid wrote:


Kendall, you can't compare that PC box, that gets 9 to 12 mpg, drives like a truck, and has no where near the build quality, to a Class B. :h

Not only can I compare but I did and selected the Ford over the Sprinter PC and they were both parked next to each other.

Now for the "mileage" since I own both, a Sprinter chassis - that is the worst piece of junk ever produced, and a Ford that gets 9-12 mpg, that pretty much makes me an expert and you just an observer.

Try doing a tad bit of research and you will see that the Sprinter chassis the the worst chassis ever produced for an RV. I just spent 2K last week and 10 days in the shop to clear an engine code, and that was the largest Mercedes dealer in Southern Ca. Heaven forbid I get an engine code while I'm in podunk Iowa, I would need to take up residency before my Sprinter would be released. and no extra underwear before you're over loaded in the Sprinter - I wasn't.


My "great mileage" Sprinter was in the shop a half dozen times before it hit 10K miles, by gas guzzler just did 7,500 miles in a month and drove by every Ford dealership and never needed to stop.

So let me ask you a question, what would losing 10 days in the shop do to a family vacation that is two weeks long?

Wanna talk about carry weight now or would that embarrass the Sprinter too much, you know where the "truck" can carry 2,000 pound MORE than the Sprinter. You might be happy packing one pair of pants


I'll save you and other the pages of internet search on how poor the quality of the Mercedes is, look it up yourself. Just know I actually OWN both chassis and you are nothing more than a spectator parroting talking points.

As far as fuel economy I ran the numbers and yes the Sprinter gets better mpg and my Ford will get low mpg but the difference will easily be recovered and then passed with lower maintenance costs yearly. Also my 350 will be carrying and WHOLE LOT more that the Sprinter BOX, and I will never spend 10 days in the service department.

Do you want to hear how I had to wait a month for a belt from Germany on my Sprinter, I could drive to Detroit and pick up a belt if I needed to for my Ford, and be home the next day.

So go ahead parrot your " WE GET GREAT MPG'S" talking point till the cows come home, but the RV race is decided on service reliability and the Ford, Dodge, Chevy have Mercedes beat hands down.

I'll always take reliability over MPG and I just spent 85K to prove it.

See, I can compare the Sprinter over the gas guzzler and the Sprinter lost AGAIN.

[Fastpaddler]

OKPETE wrote:

Fastpaddler wrote:

arvie wrote:
Pleasureway just introduced the Plateau XL widebody which is a 22 foot class c on a sprinter chassis. No slide out but it has a murphy bed. The sofa bed in the ss is rather small and the slide must be out to use the bed. I was disappointed when I saw the ss in person and except for the large bath didn't think the slide out was worth the extra money. If size isn't an issue my preference would be the Unity.

And I might add that Pleasure-way cabinetry is top quality and not laminate. My 0(07 build) Plateau TS with Honey Maple wood looks almost like new and no problems with hardware of fitting NOR squeaks due to precise machining. Good luck. I liked the new PW XL somewhat but I would like to avoid slide-outs given my past experiences.

r
Hello,
I have a 2012 pleasureway rear bed and overall pleased with the layout. However, the finish on lower cabinets leaves much to be desired. My wife is very careful and I will have to refinish after 14 months of use. If you don't use the galley ,the finish is fine. The finish is a quick drying lacquer which facilities production, but is a poor finish when the sink is located above . Polyurethane should be used. We waxed at least three times. Overall the simplicity and features have been good. The factory, of course, would not help because we were 6 weeks over the one year warranty. Read carefully, the five warranty is a bit illusion army.

OKPETE,

Sorry to learn about the wood finish under the sink. You didnt mention which model of Pleasureway you have. I contacted Pleaseway twice re my 06(07)build Plateau TS and they were extremely helpful despite the advanced age of my unit, having purchased it from the original owner. I wojld contact them again and ask what can be done ie if poly is the answer then they should be able to help you with advice on applying it. I have no trouble with ANY of my interior cabinetry. I clean and polish the woodwork about twice a year. I am looking at a new model but havent decided what we need next.
cheers
AL

[applegater]

To the OP we have a LTV unit, it is a C but the materials and finish are very similar to their B's. Equally important the support received from the factory is excellent. Earlier this year we were 2 weeks away from leaving for Arizona when we discovered the heating element in the refrig had failed. A local Dometic dealer tried to get a replacement but the earliest delivery was 5 weeks from Europe. We contacted LTV and two days later we got an element that they took out of a damaged unit. Our only cost was the freight cost. When I decided to install a macerator which is an option with LTV the factory sent me instructions and pictures for installation. Factory support is excellent.

[Arizona_Kid]

Why do some owners of Class C continuously come to the B forum, and try to convince people to buy a Class C over a Class B? I think the OP found out a while back the difference between a B and a C, and is smart enough to go to the C forum for information about them.
I hate to say this but I'm starting to agree with Davydd, :E. It can only be B envy. 🙂

Kendall, you can't compare that PC box, that gets 9 to 12 mpg, drives like a truck, and has no where near the build quality, to a Class B. :h

Don't get me wrong, I like Class C's, almost bought a 24' LD, but I don't come to the B forum and try and get people to buy one.:S

[bobojay5]

I understand what kendall69 is saying. Even though that unit is a class C, it's not that much bigger than the 24' Sprinter. Only a couple inches taller, 8" wider, and about a foot longer, (for the model he has).
Phoenix Cruiser builds a shorter height and narrower unit than the normal Ford based C with their designs. (Nexus, Thor, Winnebago)
He's just trying to show the OP all the options out there....

[kendall69]

Before you purchase, give Phoenix Cruiser a hard look. I just did 7,500 miles since picking my unit up at the factory June 17th.

You get factory pricing which I calculated saved me around 30K for a similar unit from other manufacturers.

They bent over backwards as to my adding features like, jacks, solar, extra fans, bigger AC etc.

in 30 years, I've owned a truck campers two class C's, a class A and this has been the best RV I've ever owned. The size is PERFECT and no need for a toad as it gets me everywhere I need to go.

[mumkin]

x3

Small companies can carry on for a long time by focusing on a particular market. Like Sportsmobile that caters mostly to off-roaders and those that don't want unnecessary luxury.

[bobojay5]

Davydd wrote:

Neverhappy wrote:
Nothing can justify the outrageous price tag of a DIY looking Advanced Rv.
IMHO I think they won't be around in a couple of years.

Some people like Ferraris and some people like Chevys. Advanced RV will be around for people desiring the best as long as they build Class Bs to satisfy those desires.

Like DavyDD says....

[Davydd]

Neverhappy wrote:
Nothing can justify the outrageous price tag of a DIY looking Advanced Rv.
IMHO I think they won't be around in a couple of years.

Some people like Ferraris and some people like Chevys. Advanced RV will be around for people desiring the best as long as they build Class Bs to satisfy those desires.